‘Cookie Master’ wraps Girl Scout career on top

There are many measures of success in life, but having a personalized Girl Scout patch is tops.

For 17-year-old Sierra Rechak, receiving the coveted patch emblazoned with her face on it will be the end of an era.

The Schuylerville High School senior’s free time is consumed by selling Girl Scout cookies, and the “Cookie Master” knows a thing or two about making a sale.

With cookie season in full swing, Rechak is aiming to once again dominate the sales market — both regionally and nationwide — as she wraps her Girl Scout career.

For six years running, Rechak has been the top cookie seller in the Northeast region — a 15-county area that includes the Hudson Valley, Mohawk Pathways, Adirondack and North Country — and was fifth in the country last year.

“I’m very grateful for Girls Scouts and everything I’ve been able to do,” said Rechak, an honor student and member of Schuylerville’s Quiz Team and Drama and French clubs. “I won’t miss the cold or the wind, though.”

A coat, hat, gloves and scarf are required cookie selling gear for Girl Scouts, especially early in the season, which begins in late March.

Thin Mints, Tagalongs, Samoas, Trefoils and other varieties of Girl Scout cookies are available at Sierra Rechak’s seasonal booth through April 28.

Rechak began moving Thin Mints, Tagalongs, S’mores, Trefoils and other popular varieties of Girl Scout cookies out of a seasonal pop-up tent in the parking lot of Rite Aid near Wilton Mall six years ago.

A member of Troop 3519 in Schuylerville, Rechak has been selling Girl Scout Cookies since she was in first grade. Prior to starting the 2019 season, her total was close to 43,000 boxes.

Money raised through cookie sales stay with local councils and troops.

Two years ago, Rechak sold 10,022 boxes — her personal best. This season, Rechak said she is determined to sell at least 10,023 boxes, even if it means pulling 11-hour shifts over spring recess.

“We get a few thousand boxes at a time and keep them in the van,” said Rechak, who in the fall will attend Pennsylvania State University and major in hospitality management with a minor in French. “At home, we have anywhere from 1,800 to 2,000 to stockpile for vacation week.”

Rechak will be selling Girl Scout cookies from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and Saturdays, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays through April 28. The booth will be closed on Easter.

Earnings from cookie sales have allowed Rechak to travel to New York City, Walt Disney World in Florida, Costa Rica and Europe, and she has plans for more trips later this year.

“Girl Scouts has given her the ability to travel abroad,” said Ivy Rechak, Sierra’s mom. “It’s part of the experience for older girls, and one Sierra wouldn’t have had without the Girl Scouts.”

Rechak’s booth also collects donations to buy cookies for U.S. troops, in partnership with the nonprofit Operation Adopt-A-Soldier.

To date, the program has donated more than 3,000 boxes of cookies to military members deployed overseas, with more to come.

Even though Girls Scouts has been such a big part of her life, Rechak said that she’s ready for the next chapter.

“I’ve done this for 12 years and finishing this season, with high school not far behind, will be a good way to close two doors at once,” Rechak said.